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No bond for alleged child murderer

A Covington man accused of the death of 7-year-old Ethan Israel Martinez was denied bond last week.

David Joe Mann Jr., 25, was arrested and charged Sept. 20 in the death of the Livingston Elementary first grader, whose cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma to the head.

Newton County EMS was initially called to the home Mann shared with Martinez's mother, the victim and the couple's 6-month-old daughter. When they arrived, they found Martinez unresponsive and rushed him to the hospital. The only people in the home at the time were Mann, the victim and the infant. Two days later, Mann was officially charged with felony murder, aggravated battery and cruelty to children.

Mann appeared in front of Newton County Superior Court Judge Eugene Benton who denied the bond request. He was represented by Chief Public Defender Anthony Carter. Though a judge can grant bond to those charged with murder, it is rare. If a bond is granted, it is typically subject to conditions such as house arrest or an ankle monitor.

The family of Ethan Martinez did not have burial insurance. A fund has been set up for monetary assistance. Donations can be made at Chase Bank in the account of Jesus E. Martinez, the father of the victim.